Make It: How to alter a skirt using an exposed zipper

Exposed Zipper Tutorial 

Hi guys, it’s me- Caitlin, PGT intern :) 

Just wanted to share a DIY project that is cheap, simple, and pretty awesome!  

Last weekend my friend Jen brought me a cute pencil-skirt that she bought, but it was too small- and then couldn’t return it!  So she asked me to alter it a bit to fit- by adding an exposed zipper. 

The end result turned out bold, sassy, and cute!  

Much better than before!

You'll need:

·    A size too small Knit “body-con” skirt  (any fitted pencil-skirt!)

·    Contrasting fabric (length of skirt, by 4 or 5” wide- your choice!)

·    Contrasting zipper (length of skirt, I used a 20”er)

·    Interfacing (same amount of contrasting fabric)

·    Matching thread,     spool/bobbin

·    Fabric marker and pins

·      Sewing machine

·      Scissors and iron

Step 1:  Patterning the contrasting fabric

Fit your contrasting piece of material to your skirt.  Mark off any extra length but adding ½” seam allowance to each end.  You can just set the skirt aside, as we will work with the contrasting fabric for now.  To finish the ends of the fabric, turn over the material ¼” and then ¼” again, and by sewing a straight stitch across.

Step 2:  Pinning the zipper/neato-sewing Tip No.1

Now, cut the contrasting fabric in half, length-wise (for some, hotdog wise).   By cutting the fabric in half, you now have the two pieces you need, and this just saved you some time!  Finally, mark and cut the zipper to fit the length of the skirt. 

Step 3:  Installing the zipper

Pin the material to one side of the zipper and sew 1/4'” away from the metal.  Sew on top again with a zig-zag stitch along the edge of the fabric to prevent fraying!  Repeat with the other piece of material of the other side of the zipper.

Step 4:  Zippers are easypeasy!

Now your zipper has a “band” of material on either side of it.   On Jen’s we marked 2” on either side.  You can vary this distance by your preference of how wide you want the band to be.  After marking the width- mark 5/8” for seam allowance.

Step 5:  Interfacing

Cut interfacing to fit the contrasting fabric and iron down on either side of the zipper.

Step 6:  Marking the center skirt!/neato-sewing tip No. 2

Alas, back to that skirt!  Lay it out on a flat surface.  Mark down the center of the skirt with a fabric marker or pins to create a center-line.

Stitch down the skirt ¼” on either side of the pins creating a “channel”.  This will finish of the edges- before you cut your skirt.  It’s much easier to do this now, then after cutting it in half, because knits are funky to sew on!

Step 7:  Adding that panel

Next cut down the “channel” of stitches.  Pin right side of the skirt to right size zippered panel.  The right side of the skirt should face the fabric with the zipper.  Stitch together using 5/8” seam.

Step 8:  Pressing!

Iron the seam flat, and towards the center of the skirt.  Top-stitch 1/8” down, along seam.  This will also help the seam lay flat!  Repeat step 8, and step 9 for the other side of the skirt. Remember, right-sides together!

Voilà!

Let me know if you have any questions... for my sewing etiquette might not be up to par, or my directions a bit confusing!

My 'go to' website for sewing reference is at Burda Style which might help with any terms I used.

Otherwise, I hope this up-cycled project is helpful and inspiring! : )

Happy crafting!